[Not] flying by the seat of one’s pants is a good thing

For some reason, this semester I feel like the wheels have fallen off my usual routine.  As a result, I have been less productive (surprise, surprise) and more cranky.  Not a winning combination.  Though my older child is in school, the younger is home with me on the days that I don’t teach.  We do [...]

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Momentum Monday: Time for a Social Life?

A few months ago I wrote about my daily dilemma between what seem like two necessary uses of alone time: dissertation writing and physical fitness. Any working/dissertating mother has an additional dilemma when considering the demands of even the most humble social life. When faced with social obligations or desires (depending on how I see [...]

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The Lonely Celiac

I was one of those kids who was allergic to everything. And now I’m one of those adults. Over a year ago I was finally diagnosed with a kind of explanation to all these allergies — an autoimmune disorder called celiac disease, which is basically an allergy to gluten.
Living with a family, being the only [...]

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Momentum Monday: How to Keep the Momentum During School Vacations

Now that the spring term is in full swing, the job search remains in its state of limbo (in Jen’s case, one school’s budget issues have stalled the process for now), and I can turn more of my attention to writing, the New England February ski break is nearly here. If you do not live [...]

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Momentum Monday: Menu Planning

It is Monday morning, and I have been unusually productive–one child has been sent off to school (and one is still sleeping–a miracle!), papers have been graded, lecture notes uploaded, and I have run through my goals for the day.  I am now reviewing my menu for the week.  
This is a new habit that [...]

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Comfort Food: Chicken and Dumplings

 
 
Chicken and Dumplings is a winter favorite in my home.  It provides a hearty meal that tastes rich, however, it does not contain any heavy ingredients.  There are many recipes out there, from which mine is inspired, but I make mine the following way:
Set one 32 ounce container of Chicken Broth to boil
Take 4-6 boneless [...]

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Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the phdmamas. We hope all our readers enjoy a wonderful holiday season and safe travels. Pics of our holiday activities will follow; for instance, Jen is getting ready to do cut-out cookies with the boys this week, then travelling to the MLA convention in San Fran on Saturday. A challenge: see if [...]

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Momentum Monday: Calendar in the Cloud

Streamlining the Family Calendar
Despite the Blackberry, the iPhone, the paper date book, the paper calendar hanging in the kitchen, and the multiple personal and office computers, it can still be a challenge to coordinate family schedules. And when I say “coordinate family schedules,” I really mean, “let my husband in the loop of what’s happening [...]

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Wednesday: Annotated Biblio-blography

Four-year-old wonders ‘Who’s Tots and why is he getting all these toys?”
Jen’s four-year-old is quoted (anonymously, whew) on the front page of the Metrowest Daily News this week as he weighs in on this year’s Toys for Tots campaign. Finn’s preschool ran a collection for toys and as the article observes: “The school’s drive also [...]

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Food: Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs

Sometimes this Phdmama would be happy with a Fiber One bar for dinner, but with two little ones to feed, one has to think of something nutritious and delicious (and easy) that will satisfy all (as I tell my little guy, I am not a short order cook–there is only one thing on the menu). [...]

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